Camera systems for scopes

ABSTRACT

A camera system for mounting to a scope can include a camera portion and a mounting system rotationally coupled to the camera portion. The mounting system can include a first securing portion having a first securing member, where the first securing member is configured to abut against a first portion of an eyepiece of the scope. The mounting system can also include a second securing portion having a second securing member, where the second securing member is configured to abut against a second portion of the eyepiece of the scope. The mounting system can further include an adjustment mechanism that simultaneously moves the first securing portion and the second securing portion in opposing directions relative to each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation and claims the benefit of U.S.Application Serial No. 16/947,205, titled “CAMERA SYSTEMS FOR SCOPES,”filed by Richard Charles Rhoden, et al., on Jul. 22, 2020.

This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSerial No. US 62/341,197, titled “CAMERA SYSTEMS FOR SCOPES,” filed byRichard Charles Rhoden, et al., on May 25, 2016.

This application incorporates the entire contents of the foregoingapplication(s) herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate generally to scopes, and more particularly tosystems, methods, and devices for mounting a camera to a scope.

BACKGROUND

Spotting scopes (or sometimes more simply referred to as scopes) areused for a variety of applications for seeing at distances greater thanwhat binoculars or the bare human eye can see. For example, mostcommonly, a spotting scope is used in conjunction with a firearm (e. g.,a rifle) to aid a user in finding and focusing on a target, generally ata distance (e.g., a mile, 500 yards, 100 meters) that can be difficultor impossible to see without such a device. Adjustments to the focus ofthe spotting scope are made manually, and the user must peer into aneyepiece. Other uses for a scope can include, but are not limited to,birdwatching and surveillance.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure relates to a camera system formounting to a scope. The camera system can include a camera portion anda mounting system rotationally coupled to the camera portion. Themounting system can include a first securing portion having a firstsecuring member, where the first securing member is configured to abutagainst a first portion of an eyepiece of the scope. The mounting systemcan also include a second securing portion having a second securingmember, where the second securing member is configured to abut against asecond portion of the eyepiece of the scope. The mounting system canfurther include an adjustment mechanism that simultaneously moves thefirst securing portion and the second securing portion in opposingdirections relative to each other.

In another aspect, the disclosure can generally relate to a scopeassembly that includes a scope having an eyepiece. The scope assemblycan also include a camera system coupled to the eyepiece of the scope.The camera system can include a camera portion and a mounting systemrotationally coupled to the camera portion. The mounting system caninclude a first securing portion having a first securing member, wherethe first securing member abuts against a first portion of the eyepieceof the scope. The mounting system can also include a second securingportion having a second securing member, where the second securingmember abuts against a second portion of the eyepiece of the scope. Themounting system can further include an adjustment mechanism thatsimultaneously moves the first securing portion and the second securingportion in opposing directions relative to each other.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure can generally relate to a mountingsystem for a scope. The mounting system can include a first securingportion having a first securing member, where the first securing memberis configured to abut against a first portion of an eyepiece of thescope. The mounting system can also include a second securing portionhaving a second securing member, where the second securing member isconfigured to abut against a second portion of the eyepiece of thescope. The mounting system can further include an adjustment mechanismthat simultaneously moves the first securing portion and the secondsecuring portion in opposing directions relative to each other.

The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features and advantages willbe apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate only example embodiments of camera systems formounting to a scope and are therefore not to be considered limiting ofits scope, as camera systems may admit to other equally effectiveembodiments. The elements and features shown in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally,certain dimensions or positionings may be exaggerated to help visuallyconvey such principles. In the drawings, reference numerals designatelike or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements.

FIG. 1 shows an example spotting scope with which example camera systemscan be used.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a spotting scope assembly that includes a camerasystem in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of a camera system in accordance with one ormore example embodiments.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show various views of a mounting system of the camerasystem in accordance with one or more example embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show an interface between the mounting portion and thecamera platform of a camera system in accordance with certain exampleembodiments.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the camera system without the camera housing inaccordance with certain example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The example embodiments discussed herein are directed to systems,apparatuses, and methods of camera systems that can be mounted toscopes. Camera systems can be mounted to any type of scope, includingbut not limited to a spotting scope, a microscope, a laparoscope, and atelescope. In short, example embodiments can be used with any device ortechnology that requires co-centricity for optimal performance. Thus,example embodiments are not limited to use with any particular type ofscope.

As described herein, a user can be any person that interacts with ascope. Examples of a user may include, but are not limited to, aconsumer, a scientist, a lab technician, a hunter, an astronomer, asecurity professional, a marksman, a medical doctor or technician, asurgeon, a consultant, a ranch owner, a surveying engineer, and amanufacturer’s representative.

The camera systems for scopes (or components thereof) described hereincan be made of one or more of a number of suitable materials to allowthe camera systems to maintain functionality and durability in light ofthe one or more conditions under which the camera systems for scopes canbe exposed. Examples of such materials can include, but are not limitedto, aluminum, stainless steel, fiberglass, glass, plastic, ceramic, andrubber.

Example camera systems for scopes, or portions thereof, described hereincan be made from multiple pieces that are mechanically coupled to eachother. In such a case, the multiple pieces can be mechanically coupledto each other using one or more of a number of coupling methods,including but not limited to epoxy, welding, fastening devices,compression fittings, mating threads, and slotted fittings. One or morepieces that are mechanically coupled to each other can be coupled toeach other in one or more of a number of ways, including but not limitedto fixedly, hingedly, rotatably, removeably, slidably, and threadably.

Components and/or features described herein can include elements thatare described as coupling, mounting, fastening, securing, or othersimilar terms. Such terms are merely meant to distinguish variouselements and/or features within a component or device and are not meantto limit the capability or function of that particular element and/orfeature. For example, a feature described as a “coupling feature” cancouple, mount, secure, fasten, abut against, be in communication with,and/or perform other functions aside from merely coupling.

A coupling feature (including a complementary coupling feature) asdescribed herein can allow one or more components and/or portions of anexample camera system to become mechanically coupled, directly orindirectly, to another portion of the camera system. A coupling featurecan include, but is not limited to, a portion of a hinge, an aperture, arecessed area, a protrusion, a clamp, a slot, a spring clip, a tab, adetent, and mating threads. One portion of an example camera system canbe coupled to a component of the camera system by the direct use of oneor more coupling features.

In addition, or in the alternative, a portion of an example camerasystem can be coupled to a component of a camera system using one ormore independent devices that interact with one or more couplingfeatures disposed on a component of the camera system. Examples of suchdevices can include, but are not limited to, a pin, a hinge, a fasteningdevice (e.g., a bolt, a screw, a rivet), a clamp, a C-clip, and aspring. One coupling feature described herein can be the same as, ordifferent than, one or more other coupling features described herein. Acomplementary coupling feature as described herein can be a couplingfeature that mechanically couples, directly or indirectly, with anothercoupling feature.

In the foregoing figures showing example embodiments of camera systemsfor scopes, one or more of the components shown may be omitted,repeated, and/or substituted. Accordingly, example embodiments of camerasystems for scopes should not be considered limited to the specificarrangements of components shown in any of the figures. For example,features shown in one or more figures or described with respect to oneembodiment can be applied to another embodiment associated with adifferent figure or description. Further, any description of a figure orembodiment made herein stating that one or more components are notincluded in the figure or embodiment does not mean that such one or morecomponents could not be included in the figure or embodiment, and thatfor the purposes of the claims set forth herein, such one or morecomponents can be included in one or more claims directed to such figureor embodiment.

Further, a statement that a particular embodiment (e.g., as shown in afigure herein) does not have a particular feature or component does notmean, unless expressly stated, that such embodiment is not capable ofhaving such feature or component. For example, for purposes of presentor future claims herein, a feature or component that is described as notbeing included in an example embodiment shown in one or more particulardrawings is capable of being included in one or more claims thatcorrespond to such one or more particular drawings herein.

Further, if a component of a figure is described but not expressly shownor labeled in that figure, the label used for a corresponding componentin another figure can be inferred to that component. Conversely, if acomponent in a figure is labeled but not described, the description forsuch component can be substantially the same as the description for thecorresponding component in another figure. The numbering scheme for thevarious components in the figures herein is such that each component isa three or four digit number and corresponding components in otherfigures have the identical last two digits.

Example embodiments of camera systems for scopes will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichexample embodiments of camera systems for scopes are shown. Camerasystems for scopes may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forthherein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey thescope of camera systems to those of ordinary skill in the art. Like, butnot necessarily the same, elements (also sometimes called components) inthe various figures are denoted by like reference numerals forconsistency.

Terms used herein such as, but not limited to, “top”, “bottom”, “left”,“right”, “proximal”, “distal”, “first”, and “second” are used merely todistinguish one component (or part of a component or state of acomponent) from another. Such terms are not meant to denote a preferenceor a particular orientation, and are not meant to limit embodiments ofcamera systems for scopes. In the following detailed description of theexample embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it willbe apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known features have not been described in detail to avoidunnecessarily complicating the description.

FIG. 1 shows an example scope 100 with which example camera systems canbe used. In this case, the scope 100 is a spotting scope, such as whatmight be used for hunting, long-range shooting, or surveillance. Thescope 100 of FIG. 1 includes a number of elements. Specifically, thescope 100 includes a lens 101, a mounting feature 102, a focusadjustment feature 103, a sighting tube 104, and eyepiece 105, and azoom adjustment feature 106. The eyepiece 105 and the zoom adjustmentfeature 106 are adjacent to each other and have a circularcross-sectional shape.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a spotting scope assembly 299 that includes acamera system 210 in accordance with certain example embodiments.Referring to FIG. 1-2B, the camera system 210 is mounted over theeyepiece (hidden from view) and part of the zoom adjustment feature 206of the scope 200. The scope 200 in this case is coupled to a mountingstand 209 using the mounting feature 202 of the scope 200.

The example camera system 210 can include one or more of a number ofportions. For example, the camera system 210 of FIGS. 2A and 2B includesa camera portion 220 and a mounting system 230 that are rotationallycoupled to each other. The mounting system 230 of the camera system 210is used to couple the camera system 210 to the scope 200. More detailsof the mounting system 230 and the camera portion 220 are describedbelow with respect to FIGS. 3A-6B.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of a camera system 310 in accordance with oneor more example embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1-3 , the camera system310 of FIG. 3 includes a camera portion 320 and a mounting system 330that are rotationally coupled to each other. The mounting system 330 caninclude one or more of a number of components. For example, the mountingsystem 330 of FIG. 3 includes a knob 331 coupled to a jack screw 340(also referred to herein as an adjustment mechanism 340), a firstsecuring portion 350, a second securing portion 370, a base 360, adistal portion 365, and a rotating platform 380 (also sometimes called aslip ring 380).

As shown in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B, theadjustment mechanism 340, when rotated, causes both the securing portion350 and the securing portion 370 to move in opposing directions alongaxis formed by the adjustment mechanism 340. The base 360 remains in afixed position, and so the securing portion 350 and the securing portion370 move with respect to the base 360. Further, since the location ofthe rotating platform 380 is fixed relative to the base 360, since thecenter of the rotating platform 380 is centered with respect to thesecuring portion 350 and the securing portion 370, and since the lens329 of the camera is disposed in the center of the rotating platform380, the lens 329 of the camera is centered with respect to the securingportion 350 and the securing portion 370.

In this way, when an eyepiece (e.g., eyepiece 105) of a scope (e.g.,scope 100) is disposed within the mounting system 330, and when theadjustment mechanism 340 is used to secure the camera system 310 againstthe scope, the eyepiece will be precisely aligned with the lens 329 ofthe camera inside the camera portion 320 of the camera system 310. As aresult, the camera inside the camera portion 320 of the camera system310 can offer the same view that would be available if a user placed hisor her eye against the eyepiece of the scope.

In this case, using the knob 331, the adjustment mechanism 340 rotatesaxially along the length of the adjustment mechanism 340 and acts as akind of turnbuckle. In other words, as an example, if the adjustmentmechanism 340 rotates clockwise, the securing portion 350 and thesecuring portion 370 move toward each other at an equal rate.Conversely, if the adjustment mechanism 340 rotates counter-clockwise,the securing portion 350 and the securing portion 370 move away fromeach other at an equal rate.

The camera portion 320 includes a housing 321 coupled to a platform 322using one or more fastening devices 323 (e. g., screws). As discussedbelow with respect to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the platform 322 of the cameraportion 320 is coupled to the rotating platform 380 and the base 360 ofthe mounting system 330 as to allow the camera portion 320 to rotatewith respect to the mounting system 330. More details about the mountingsystem 330 are described below with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

While the housing 321 of the camera portion 320 is shown in FIG. 3 asbeing a hyperrectangle (or a box or a n-orthotope), the housing 321 ofthe camera portion 320 can alternatively have any of a number of othershapes, sizes, and/or features. For example, the top surface of thehousing 321 (hidden from view in FIG. 3 ) can be a plain, featurelesssurface, much the same as the side surface of the housing 321 shown inFIG. 3 . Alternatively, the top surface of the housing 321 can be, orhave integrated into a portion thereof, a display showing the view seenby the camera through the lens 329. Similarly, the shape, size, andfeatures of the mounting system 330 can also vary relative to what isshown in FIG. 3 .

The housing 321 can be removeable or otherwise configured to allow auser access to contents within the housing 321. In such a case, a usercan repair and/or replace one or more components (e.g., battery,hardware processor, memory, camera), or portions thereof, disposedwithin the housing. In addition, or in the alternative, the entirehousing 321, including the components within, can be removed andreplaced in a modular design.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an exploded view and a detail of an assembled view,respectively, of a mounting system 430 of the camera system inaccordance with one or more example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1-4B,details of an example the adjustment mechanism 440 can be seen. In thiscase, the adjustment mechanism 440 has a proximal end with one set ofmating threads 441 and a distal end with another set of mating threads442. In between the mating threads 441 and the mating threads 442 is aneutral portion 443 that is featureless (e.g., no mating threads). Oneither side of the neutral portion 443 can be one or more couplingfeatures 444 (e. g., slots) into which one or more other couplingfeatures 445 (in this case, C-clips) can be disposed.

As discussed above, the mating threads 441 at the proximal end of theadjustment mechanism 440 run in an opposite direction as the matingthreads 442 at the distal end of the adjustment mechanism 440. In thisway, as the adjustment mechanism 440 rotates, the adjustment mechanism440 acts as a turnbuckle relative to securing portion 470 and securingportion 450.

Securing portion 470 has at least one wall 471 that forms at least acentral cavity 478. In this case, the wall 471 also forms an auxiliarycavity 479, adjacent to the central cavity 478, into which securingportion 450 can at least partially be disposed. Within the centralcavity 478, opposite the auxiliary cavity 479, disposed on the innersurface of one or more of the walls 471 of the securing portion 470 canbe disposed one or more gripping elements 472. Each of these grippingelements 472 can be used to abut against and secure a portion of aneyepiece (e.g., eyepiece 105) of a scope (e.g., scope 100). As such, thegripping elements 472 can be made of one or more of a number ofmaterials (e.g., rubber) that have a relatively high frictioncoefficient and can, in some cases, be flexible to increase surfacecontact with the eyepiece.

To promote solid contact and maximize the use of the gripping elements472, the wall 471 on which the gripping elements 472 are disposed (aswell as any adjacent walls 471 that do not have gripping elements 472disposed thereon) can be angled and/or otherwise configured in aparticular way. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the walls 471can form a U-shape, where the walls that form the sides of the U havegripping elements 472 disposed thereon, and where the base of the U doesnot have any gripping elements 472. As another example, the walls 471can form a V-shape. As yet another example, the walls 471 can form asawtooth shape. As still another example, the walls 471 can form an arcor a series of arcs.

Regarding the configuration of the walls 471 having gripping elements472 disposed thereon (and any adjacent walls 471 without grippingelements 472), the gripping elements 472 are used, in part, to securethe camera system (e. g., camera system 210) against the eyepiece of thescope while also helping to position the eyepiece relative to the lens429 of the camera.

In certain example embodiments, the securing portion 470 can be movablycoupled to the adjustment mechanism 440. For example, as shown in FIG.4A, a wall 471 that forms the auxiliary cavity 479 can have a couplingfeature 474 that allows the securing portion 470 to be movably coupledto the adjustment mechanism 440. In this case, the coupling feature 474is a threaded aperture that traverses the wall 471. The threads of thecoupling feature 474 can be configured to mate with the mating threads441 at the proximal end of the adjustment mechanism 440.

In certain example embodiments, as the adjustment mechanism 440 rotatesin one direction (e.g., clockwise), the securing portion 470 movestoward the knob 431 (toward the proximal end of the adjustment mechanism440). Conversely, as the adjustment mechanism 440 rotates in the otherdirection (e.g., counter-clockwise), the securing portion 470 moves inthe opposite direction, away from the knob 431 (toward the neutralportion 443 of the adjustment mechanism 440).

The distal end of the securing portion 470 also has one or moreextensions 477 that extend away from the wall 471. These extensions caninclude one or more coupling features 476 (in this case, slots) thatmoveably couple to one or more complementary coupling features (hiddenfrom view) of the distal portion 465 of the mounting system 430. The oneor more coupling features 476 keep the securing portion 470 in linearalignment as the securing portions moves back and forth.

The distal portion 465 is fixedly coupled to the base 460 using one ormore coupling features. In this case, the coupling features includecoupling features 466 (in this case, apertures that traverse the base460) of the base 460, one or more complementary coupling features(hidden from view, but also apertures that traverse a portion of thedistal portion 465) of the distal portion 465, and coupling features 469(in this case, screws that are disposed in the coupling features 466 ofthe base 460 and the complementary coupling features of the distalportion 465).

In certain example embodiments, securing portion 450 has a body 453 andis shaped to be disposed, at least in part, within the auxiliary cavity479 formed by the walls 471 of the securing portion 470. Disposed on theouter surface at the distal end of securing portion 450 can be one ormore gripping elements 452. Each of these gripping elements 452 can beused to abut against and secure a portion of an eyepiece (e.g., eyepiece105) of a scope (e.g., scope 100). The portion of the eyepiece securedby the gripping elements 452 can be at the opposite side of the eyepiecesecured by the gripping elements 472 of the securing portion 470. Thegripping elements 452 can be substantially the same as the grippingelements 472 described above with respect to the securing portion 470.

To promote solid contact and maximize the use of the gripping elements452, the outer surface of the distal end of the body 453 of the securingportion 450 on which the gripping elements 452 are disposed can beangled and/or otherwise configured in a particular way. For example, asshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the outer surface of the distal end of thebody 453 of the securing portion 450 can form a U-shape, where thegripping elements 452 are disposed along the length of the U shape. Asanother example, the outer surface of the distal end of the body 453 ofthe securing portion 450 can form a V-shape. The shape formed by theouter surface of the distal end of the body 453 of the securing portion450 can be the same as, or different than, the shape formed by the walls471 of the securing portion 470.

Regarding the configuration of the outer surface of the distal end ofthe body 453 of the securing portion 450 having gripping elements 452disposed thereon, the gripping elements 452 can be used, in part, tosecure the camera system (e.g., camera system 210) against the eyepieceof the scope while also helping to position the eyepiece relative to thelens 429 of the camera.

In certain example embodiments, the securing portion 450 can be movablycoupled to the adjustment mechanism 440. For example, as partially shownin FIG. 4A, there can be a coupling feature 451 that traverses at leastpart of the body 453 of the securing portion from the proximal end. Thiscoupling feature 451 can allow the securing portion 450 to be movablycoupled to the adjustment mechanism 440 and move within the auxiliarycavity 479 and/or the central cavity 478 formed by the securing portion470. In this case, the coupling feature 451 is a threaded aperture thattraverses most, but not all, of the body 453 of the securing portion450. The threads of the coupling feature 451 can be configured to matewith the mating threads 442 at the distal end of the adjustmentmechanism 440.

In certain example embodiments, as the adjustment mechanism 440 rotatesin one direction (e.g., counter-clockwise), the securing portion 450moves toward the knob 431 (toward the proximal end of the adjustmentmechanism 440). Conversely, as the adjustment mechanism 440 rotates inthe other direction (e.g., clockwise), the securing portion 450 moves inthe opposite direction, away from the knob 431 (toward the neutralportion 443 of the adjustment mechanism 440). In any case, as theadjustment mechanism 440 rotates, the securing portion 450 moves at thesame rate but in the opposite direction compared to the securing portion470.

In certain example embodiments, the neutral portion 443 of theadjustment mechanism 440 is disposed within a coupling feature 462 (inthis case, an aperture) in the extension 461 of the base 460. Since theneutral portion 443 in this case is featureless (e.g., no matingthreads), and since the coupling feature 462 is similarly featureless,the adjustment mechanism 440 can freely rotate with respect to the base.When the adjustment mechanism 440 includes a coupling feature 444located between the neutral portion 443 and the mating threads 441, andanother coupling feature 444 located between the neutral portion 443 andthe mating threads 442, and when coupling features 445 are coupled tocoupling features 444, the adjustment mechanism 440 can be held in placewith respect to movement along the length of the adjustment mechanism440 while still allowing the adjustment mechanism 440 to freely rotaterelative to the base 460.

In such a case, one coupling feature 445 can be located adjacent toand/or abut against an outer surface of the extension 461 of the base460, while the other coupling feature 445 can be located adjacent toand/or abut against an inner surface of the extension 461 of the base460. This configuration of the mounting system 430 to secure theeyepiece of a scope can ensure that the eyepiece is centered (orotherwise positioned in a desired location) at any point in a plane (e.g., in the plane defined by the base 460).

The base 460 of the mounting system 430 can also include a main portion463 that has an aperture 464 that traverses therethrough. The aperture464 can receive the rotating platform 480. The rotating platform 480 isin communication with the aperture 464 in the main portion 463 of thebase 460, but the rotating platform 480 is not directly coupled to thebase 460. This configuration, described in more detail below withrespect to FIGS. 5A and 5B, allows the rotating platform 480 to freelyrotate with respect to the base 460. Because the rotating platform 480is in communication with the base 460, there can be one or more features(e.g,. detents, friction contact) that can hold the relative positionbetween the rotating platform 480 and the base 460 without some minimalamount of force. This minimal amount of force required to move therotating platform 480 relative to the base 460 can be applied withoutthe use of tools by a user.

The rotating platform 480 can include a body 481 having a number ofcoupling features 483 (in this case, apertures that traverse the body481) that allow the rotating platform 480 to be fixedly coupled to aplatform (e.g., platform 322) of the camera portion (e.g., cameraportion 320). In this case, coupling features 484 (e.g., rivets) aredisposed within the coupling features 483 as well as correspondingcoupling features in the platform of a camera portion.

The body 481 of the rotating platform 480 can also include a aperture482 that traverses the body 481 of the rotating platform 480, where theaperture 482 is centered on the body 481. The aperture 482 can be largeenough to accommodate at least a portion of the lens 429 of the cameradisposed in the camera portion of the example camera system. Thisrotational communication between the camera portion and the mountingsystem 430 allows a user to quickly and easily make adjustments toensure that the camera is oriented properly to view the images seenthrough the scope.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a top view and a cross-sectional side view,respectively, of a subassembly 598 of a camera system that includes aninterface between the mounting portion and the camera platform inaccordance with certain example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1-5B, thesubassembly 598 of FIGS. 5A and 5B includes the base 560 and therotating platform 580 of a mounting system and the platform 522 of acamera portion, and shows an example of how these three componentsinteract with each other.

As stated above, the rotating platform 580 is fixedly coupled to theplatform 522, while the base 560 is in rotatable communication with therotating platform 580 and the platform 522. The base 560, the rotatingplatform 580, and the platform 522 can include one or more features thatallow for this rotatable communication to occur. An example of such aconfiguration is shown in FIG. 5B.

Specifically, the aperture 564 that traverses the main portion 563 ofthe base 560 can have a first diameter 592 at the bottom end of the mainportion 563 and a second diameter 594 at a top end of the main portion563. In addition, the outer surface of the body 581 of the rotatingplatform 580 can have a diameter 591 at a bottom end of the rotatingplatform 580 and a diameter 593 at a top end of the rotating platform580. In this case, diameter 591 is less than the diameter 592, anddiameter 593 is less than diameter 594.

Since the bottom end of the rotating platform 580 is adjacent to the endof the base 560, and since the top end of the rotating platform 580 isadjacent to the top end of the base 560, the rotating platform 580 canbe in rotatable communication with respect to the base 560. In somecases, one or more of the surfaces that define the aperture 564 thattraverses the base 560 and/or the outer surface of the body 581 of therotating platform 580 can include one or more features (e.g., detents,set screw, clamp, friction) that can help maintain the relative positionbetween the base 560 and the rotating platform 580, at least until someminimal amount of force is applied to the base 560 and/or the rotatingplatform 580 to change the relative position between the base 560 andthe rotating platform 580.

While this example shows two different diameters for the outer surfaceof the rotating platform 580 and for the aperture 564 of the base 560,there can be three or more different diameters of each in other exampleembodiments. FIGS. 5A and 5B also show how the lens 529 of the camera525 can traverse the aperture 582 in the rotating platform 580 as wellas the aperture 564 in the base 560. In this case, aperture 582 andaperture 564 form concentric circles when viewed from above.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a subassembly 697 of a camera system without thecamera housing in accordance with certain example embodiments. Referringto FIG. 1-6B, the subassembly 697 of FIGS. 6A and 6B shows the camera625 disposed within the camera housing. The camera 625 can capture anytypes of images (e.g., still pictures, streaming video) in any spectrum(e.g., visible light, infrared). The camera 625 can be a traditionalstand-alone camera or a camera that is integrated with another device(e.g., a cell phone).

The camera 625 can also include one or more components (e.g., atransceiver, a hardware processor, memory, a storage repository, atimer, a controller, an energy storage device (e.g., battery,supercapacitor)) that allow for communication, control, and/or any of anumber of other functions that can relate to operation and use of thecamera system to capture images from the scope. For example, a user canwirelessly communicate with the camera 625 and adjust the zoom on thecamera 625, which can allow the user to correct for or accentuate themanual zoom of the scope. Any communication between a user and thecamera 625 of the example camera system can occur using wireless (e.g.,WiFi) and/or wireless technology.

In certain example embodiments, the camera 625 looks though the eyepieceof the scope and sees the same image as the human eye would see if itwere looking through the eyepiece of the scope. The camera 625 can thentransmit (e.g., continuously, wirelessly) the image or images to amobile device or other device of a user using a transceiver.Transmission of the images captured by the camera 625 can be sent to auser device automatically or based on some factor (e.g., instructionsfrom a user, lapse of time).

While eyepieces of a scope typically have a circular cross-sectionalshape when viewed from above, example embodiments can work witheyepieces of scopes having any of a number of other cross-sectionalshapes (e.g., oval, square). Example embodiments can work with scopeshaving eyepieces of varying shape and size. Example embodiments can alsobe adjustable in terms of the disposition of the lens (e.g., lens 529)of a camera (e.g., camera 525) to be at a proper distance from theeyepiece of the scope to allow for adequate images to be captured by thecamera. For example, the housing of the camera portion of the examplecamera system can be removable and replaceable, in a modular format. Inthis way, the camera portion and the mounting system can bemanufactured, marketed, and/or sold as separate products rather than asa single camera system. As another example, the distance between thecamera portion and the mounting system of an example camera system canbe adjustable by a user without compromising the free rotation betweenthe camera portion and the mounting system.

Example embodiments provide a number of benefits. Examples of suchbenefits include, but are not limited to, use of a scope without thefocus required to look through the eyepiece with the human eye, ease ofuse, ease of adjustment, modular design, remote control andcommunication, and enhanced zooming and other optical abilities relativeto the images captured. Example embodiments can also provide aninteractive interface with a user to capture, edit, request, andotherwise receive images as seen through the scope in real time or atvarious times.

Although embodiments described herein are made with reference to exampleembodiments, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications are well within the scope and spirit of thisdisclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exampleembodiments described herein are not limited to any specificallydiscussed application and that the embodiments described herein areillustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the exampleembodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing otherembodiments using the present disclosure will suggest themselves topractitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the exampleembodiments is not limited herein.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A camera system for mounting to a scope, the camerasystem comprising: a camera module comprising a first cavity configuredto receive a lens; and, a mounting module rotatably coupled to thecamera module and in optical communication with the lens, the mountingmodule comprising: a plurality of coupling modules configured to abutagainst an eyepiece of a scope; and, an adjustment mechanism configuredto operate, in at least a first mode, the plurality of coupling modulesin a plurality of directions to converge towards an optical axis of theeyepiece of the scope such that: the camera module is coupled to theeyepiece of the scope, and the lens is in optical communication with theeyepiece of the scope.
 22. The camera system of claim 21, wherein eachof the plurality of coupling modules comprises a securing memberconfigured to abut against the eyepiece of the scope.
 23. The camerasystem of claim 21, wherein: the mounting module further comprises abase, and the plurality of coupling modules are in slidablecommunication with the base.
 24. The camera system of claim 23, whereinthe plurality of coupling modules are slidably disposed on the base. 25.The camera system of claim 21, wherein the camera module and themounting module are provided with at least one aperture such that, whenthe mounting module is coupled to the eyepiece of the scope, the lens isin optical communication with the eyepiece of the scope.
 26. The camerasystem of claim 25, wherein the lens and the at least one aperture areconcentric when the mounting module is coupled to the eyepiece of thescope.
 27. The camera system of claim 26, wherein: over an operatingrange of the plurality of coupling modules, the plurality of couplingmodules are substantially equidistant from an optical axis of the lens,and when the eyepiece is concentric with the at least one aperture, afirst optical axis of the lens is substantially aligned with a secondoptical axis of the eyepiece.
 28. The camera system of claim 21, whereinthe lens is centered with respect to the plurality of coupling modulesat least when the mounting module is coupled to the eyepiece of thescope.
 29. The camera system of claim 21, wherein the adjustmentmechanism comprises a threaded mechanism configured to operate theplurality of coupling modules.
 30. The camera system of claim 21,wherein the plurality of coupling modules are configured to contact theeyepiece of the scope in at least three points when operated to coupleto the eyepiece of the scope.
 31. The camera system of claim 21, whereinthe plurality of coupling modules comprises two coupling modules, andthe plurality of directions comprises the two coupling modules moving inopposite directions relative to one another.
 32. The camera system ofclaim 21, wherein the plurality of coupling modules are configured tomove toward each other at a substantially equal rate when the adjustmentmechanism is operated.
 33. The camera system of claim 21, wherein: thefirst mode of operation of the adjustment mechanism comprises rotationin a first direction, and operation of the adjustment mechanism byrotation in a second direction operates the plurality of couplingmodules to simultaneously move away from the optical axis of theeyepiece of the scope.
 34. The camera system of claim 21, wherein: themounting module further comprises a mounting assembly housing comprisingat least one wall that forms a second cavity, the plurality of couplingmodules are at least partially disposed within the second cavity, and atleast some portion of the adjustment mechanism is accessible outside themounting assembly housing.
 35. The camera system of claim 21, wherein:the camera module comprises a camera housing and a camera, the camerahousing comprises at least one wall that forms the first cavity, thecamera comprises the lens, and the camera is disposed within the firstcavity.
 36. The camera system of claim 35, wherein: at least oneaperture is in the mounting module, the lens protrudes through the atleast one aperture, and the camera module and the mounting module rotatewith respect to each other around the lens.
 37. The camera system ofclaim 35, wherein the camera module further comprises a displayconfigured to display images captured using the lens.
 38. The camerasystem of claim 35, wherein the camera module further comprises atransceiver, wherein the transceiver transmits images captured by thecamera to a remote device of a user.
 39. The camera system of claim 38,wherein the transceiver transmits the images captured by the camera tothe remote device of the user using wireless technology.
 40. The camerasystem of claim 35, wherein: the camera module further comprises acontroller, the controller adjusts at least one optical parameter of thecamera, and the at least one optical parameter comprises at least oneof: focus, and zoom.
 41. The camera system of claim 21, wherein thecamera module is rotatable with respect to the mounting module while themounting module is in a fixed position relative to the eyepiece of thescope.
 42. A camera system for mounting to a scope, the camera systemcomprising: a camera module comprising a first cavity configured toreceive a lens; and, means for selectively and releasably mounting thecamera module to an eyepiece of a scope such that, when the means forselectively and releasably mounting is operated to couple the cameramodule to the eyepiece of the scope, then: the lens is in opticalcommunication with the eyepiece of the scope; and, the camera module isrotatable about an optical axis of the eyepiece of the scope withoutdecoupling the camera module from the eyepiece of the scope.